VEGAS MUSIC NEWS: Jessica Simpson Mounts Comeback, Backstreet Boys Add Dates Like it’s 1999

Posted on: August 14, 2025, 05:58h. 

Last updated on: August 14, 2025, 06:00h.

Corey Levitan Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas, Restaurants, Vegas Myths Busted.

Jessica Simpson on Thursday announced a one-night-only concert at Planet Hollywood’s PH Live, happening Nov. 8.

Yes, this is how Jessica Simpson looks these days. (Image: Instagram)

The singer, who split from her second husband, NFL tight end Eric Johnson, in January and moved parttime from LA to Nashville, returned with her first music in 15 years in March. The EP was called “Nashville Canyon, Pt. 1,” and she’s about to drop “Pt. 2” on Sept. 4.

The former “Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica” star last performed in Las Vegas on May 8, 2009, during a benefit concert for the Rape Crisis Center at the Pearl at the Palms.

She quit music the following to focus on motherhood and a clothing line. In 2021, she released a New York Times bestselling memoir called “Open Book.”

Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. PT Monday, Aug. 18 via Ticketmaster, with a presale starting 10 a.m. PT Friday, Aug. 15.

Sphere-ious Business

AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, Nick Carter and Howie Dorough of Backstreet Boys. (Image: Live Nation)

The reunited Backstreet Boys have added seven dates to their ongoing residency at the Las Vegas Sphere.

They are Dec. 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 and Jan. 2-3, bringing the run up to 21 shows.

“We know we said we were done for this year, but that was before you guys sold out 21 nights at @SphereVegas!” the group captioned its social-media announcement. “So we worked hard to get some more shows scheduled to make sure everyone who wants to see the show can come to Vegas.”

Tickets for the new “Into the Millennium” dates go on sale at 9 a.m. PT Friday, Aug. 22 via Ticketmaster.

‘When We Were Young’ Unveils Sideshows

 “When We Were Young” has revealed its sideshow attractions for this year.

The punk-pop festival takes place Oct. 18-19 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds — featuring 50 acts including Weezer, Avril Lavigne and Bad Religion — but the sideshows will take place at four alternate venues from Oct. 17-19:

Friday, Oct. 17

  • Taking Back Sunday with Letlive  and Straylight Run at the Fontainebleau’s BleauLive Theater
  • Ice Nine Kills with The Plot in You at the Pearl at the Palms
  • Story of the Year and The Cab with The Rocket Summer and Her Leather Jacket at Brooklyn Bowl
  • The Story So Far with Sunami and Set Your Goals at AREA15

Saturday, Oct. 18

  • “Emo Night Brooklyn” at Brooklyn Bowl, featuring Kellin Quinn from Sleeping with Sirens and Derek Sanders from Mayday Parade

Sunday, Oct. 19

  • “Emo Night Brooklyn” at Brooklyn Bowl, featuring Kevin Otten from Knocked Loose, Allen Steinberg from Arms Length, and The Paradox

Tickets for the sideshows go on sale 10 a.m. PT Friday, Aug. 15 via Ticketmaster.